Crystal Palace’s manager Roy Hodgson was taken to hospital on 15 February after having ‘taken ill’ during training. This is Hodgson’s second stint in charge of the club after initially taking on a short-term deal towards the end of last season. He replaced Patrick Vieira, and saw the club into an 11th-place finish. Since, the 76-year-old has faced a lot of criticism over his management.
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Indeed, his falling ill coincides with rumours that he is soon to be replaced. Most expect former Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Oliver Glasner to take over, as fans grow increasingly frustrated with Hodgson. Here’s everything you need to know about his hospitalization and recent performance as Crystal Palace’s manager.
Roy Hodgson health update
Hodgson had a press conference scheduled for yesterday ahead of Crystal Palace’s match against Everton. However, it was cancelled, and the club posted to explain that the manager had gone to hospital after having ‘taken ill’. They later updated fans, explaining that Hodgson is ‘stable’:
Following news that Roy Hodgson was taken ill during today's training session, we can confirm that he is now stable and is currently undergoing tests in hospital.
They added: ‘Everybody at the club sends their best wishes to Roy for a speedy recovery.’
The Guardian has said that Hodgson ‘has been ruled out of Palace’s game at Everton on Monday, with his assistants Ray Lewington and Paddy McCarthy likely to prepare the players’.
Hodgson facing criticism
Hodgson appeared at his 200th match as Palace manager earlier this week, which saw his team beaten 3-1 by Chelsea at Selhurst Park. This is not the first piece of bad news Hodgson has had as manager: Palace have won three league games since they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in September, but they have lost 10 of their last 16 games.
Fans have been growing impatient with his decisions, and have let him know from the stands. When he substituted Eberechi Eze after 64 minutes in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup third-round defeat against Everton last month, supporters started chanting:
You don't know what you're doing.
Fans were similarly critical of his call to send Michael Olise on as a substitute at half-time against Brighton. The team was down 3-0, and the winger was still dealing with an injury - he lasted 11 minutes before his hamstring started acting up again.
As supporters await further news regarding Hodgson’s health, there are ‘widespread reports that Palace have already finalised a deal to replace Hodgson with Glasner’, according to EuroSport. Indeed, The Guardian confirmed:
There is a possibility Glasner will be appointed before Monday’s game, although the 49-year-old, who managed Eintracht Frankfurt to their Europa League triumph in 2022, is unlikely to take charge at Everton.
The news of Hodgson’s ill health comes just a month after the German Football legend Franz Beckenbauer’s death was announced.
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Sources used:
EuroSport: ROY HODGSON 'TAKEN ILL' DURING CRYSTAL PALACE TRAINING, PRESS CONFERENCE CANCELLED AMID SACK RUMOURS
BBC: Roy Hodgson: Crystal Palace manager stable in hospital after falling ill during training
The Guardian: Roy Hodgson expected to step down as Crystal Palace wait to appoint Glasner
